CRAMPTON COURT-MARTIAL.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XLV, Issue 11760, 21 February 1919, Page 2

CRAMPTON COURT-MARTIAL.

CFer Frees Association.! Wanganui, February 20. At the Crampton court martial this morning the eighth charge was heard, alleging thst accused permitted unnecessary force to compel Private Allistar Baatoa to do pack drill. Beaton said he refused to don the Uniterm and was forcibly dressed, he not resisting. He declined to take the rifle which was then handciaffad his wrist and a rope put round his neck and he was dragged round the yard and bumped into a wall and bled freely from tbe face. He was dragged round tbe yard by the hair, two handfuls of which came out He then consented to taka the rifle. Haynes trod on his hetls to quicken his step and Bryne rained punches on his back and neck. When ha consented to march Orampton asked if ha would put on the uniform. Witness refused and Orampton then ordered him to go round again and poked him in the libs with a cane. He fell to tbe ground and getting up cannoned into'the wall behind and was nearly knocked out. After more marching Crampton asked if he had any complaints to make and witness, at first refusing to answer, eventually said he had none.

Dr Anderson said that be examined Beaton after pack drill in the evening and apart from slight abrasions on tbs left side and lace found no bruise or injury. He asked Beaton how the abrasion was caused and he answered something about spooks having done it. He was instructed to report on the mental condition of Beaton, who had some theories about being hypnotised which troubled him. Witness considered these were assumed and reported Beacon as mentally sound.